CostIndexUSA

Lawrence, KS vs Winston-Salem, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableKS
Lawrence
90.2
overall index
$1,475/mo rent
NC
Winston-Salem
92
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Lawrence is slightly cheaper than Winston-Salem — 2.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lawrence, you would need $81,600 in Winston-Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Lawrence
71.6
Winston-Salem
71.4
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Lawrence
94
Winston-Salem
96.6
🚗 Transportation+4.7%
Lawrence
98.5
Winston-Salem
103.1
🏥 Healthcare+4.7%
Lawrence
89.1
Winston-Salem
93.3
Utilities1.0%
Lawrence
89.3
Winston-Salem
88.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Lawrence to see what you'd need to earn in Winston-Salem to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Winston-Salem, NC
$81,600
$1,600 more needed in Winston-Salem

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 90.2) = salary × 1.0200. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lawrence, KS

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Winston-Salem, NC

Median Home Price
$355,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
71.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.5×

Income & Job Market

Lawrence, KS

Median Household Income
$67,000
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
98,004
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyRetailManufacturing

Winston-Salem, NC

Median Household Income
$64,400
Per Capita Income
$36,700
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
247,945
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceEducationGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Lawrence, KS
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Winston-Salem, NC
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.